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New Phishing Scam Uses ‘Phishing’ Theme

Computer scammers are using the threat of their own crimes as a new theme but with the same objective of luring people to surrender personal information.

The new surge of e-mails says they intend to protect recipients from online phishing. However, the Consumer Protection Board warns that these are spam mails coming from scammers themselves. The New York State Consumer Protection Board alerted consumers on February 18, 2007 about a new kind of phishing e-mail that boldly shows the title "Phishing" in the subject head.

Earlier in February 2007, some e-mails seemed to come from Chase Bank, which had a subject line "Phishing: Security Measures." These might convince consumers to think that some good intentions were working to protect them from phishing. Similar e-mails appeared, claiming to be from eBay and PayPal during the first week of January 2007 through second week of February. The fact is that these e-mails are all false.

The following will help to recognize such e-mails:They have subject line reading: "Phishing: Security Measures." phishing refers to the practice of stealing users' sensitive personal information over the Net.

The e-mails state that the recipient's bank account details are lost or stolen; hence the person should provide his/ her social security number and other personal details.

The message that therefore emerges is that anybody receiving such kinds of e-mails needs to be careful and not trust it. It could put him/ her at risk of identity theft. Of course, the theft occurs after responding with providing the social security number.

Like before these new e-mails instruct to supply sensitive information like passwords, Social Security number, or bank account details - all that is necessary to conduct identity theft.

According to Mindy Bockstein, the acting chairperson and executive director of the CPB, no authorized or reputed company requests for this kind of information through e-mail. Bockstein cautions people not to believe such tricks and divulge their personal data. Bockstein made her statement on February 19, 2007 for EmpireStateNews. Online users should never disclose personal or financial details unless they are sure where and to whom it's going, reminded Bockstein.